What do you think is the main message that the author is trying to get across to you in your book? This main message is the theme of the book. Provide three quotes from your book to back up your answer.

I believe that the main message the author is trying to get across is the idea that anyone can overcome their anxiety and fears. He's trying to make the audience understand that it's okay not to know what the future holds. Toward the end of the book, the message becomes more clear. An example would be on page 303, "The future swirling in. Suddenly a little less worrying." When Mikey says this we can understand that he has learned to manage his anxiety, which shows that the author is trying to tell us it's possible. There's a large section of the book, where Mikey is with his therapist, and they talk about how part of managing his anxiety starts with him realizing it's not his fault that he has anxiety. On page 238, "Then here's my help. One, your anxiety is a genuine and very painful problem not one you're making up. Two, you're not morally responsible for causing it." This helps the reader understand two steps that could help managing your anxiety. Towards the end of their conversation, Mikey agrees to take the medicine that will help him. Another example would be on page 313, "Don't worry about it... Everybody's got something." This shows that it's fine that you have something wrong with you, everyone has something wrong with them. Nobody's perfect. The message the author tries to send is very uplifting and beautifully written.  

Describe the major characters in your book. Who is the protagonist and antagonist? What are the major characters like - appearance, age, mannerisms, clothing, etc. Also, do you think that the author has effectively developed these characters. Please explain your answer.

There are four major characters in my book. The protagonist of The Rest of Us Just Live Here is Mikey. He is a senior who is graduating soon. He overthinks and constantly questions himself in his decisions. He has a lot of anxiety and is a huge germaphobic. Since he's a germaphobic, he washes his hands so much to the point where he has unhealthy, dry skin. So far from what I can tell, the antagonist is his parents and a new kid named Nathan. Mikey does what he wants and avoids his parents. Another major character is Henna. Henna is friends with Mikey and other two major characters. She is described a lot on the story because Mikey likes her. Mikey wants to ask her to prom. On page 58, Mikey describes her, and he notices that she has a scar, she has freckles, and she is African American. She's best friends with Mikey. Another major character is Jared. Jared is one Mikey's best friends and he is tries to help Mikey. Jared has a weird connection with cats and cats are attracted to him. Jared is also gay however, Mikey notices that they barely meet any of Jared's partners. Last but not least, Mel is Mikey's sister. She is high school as well. She use to have a eating disorder, and she tries to avoid her parents as well. She doesn't like it when people watch her eat. She is somewhat shy with people she doesn't know. Nathan is a new kid that joins their school three weeks before graduation because of his army mom. Henna likes Nathan and wants to ask him to prom, which is why he is one of the antagonist. He stands in the way of Mikey's goals. Mikey's parents are the cause of his anxiety due to his mothers job. His mother wants the family to seem perfect to the media due to the reason that she wants to be govern of their state. Unfortunately, I think that Patrick Ness, the author, could have developed these characters more. Since the point of view is from Mikey, I feel as though I don't get a good description of several characters such as, Nathan and Mel. I do have to admit that the other characters are described well. However, there's something off about this book, but I can't put my finger on it.   

1984 Final Post

I think a very important topic about 1984 that we did not mention was leadership. On page 13, “But what was strange was that although Goldstein was hated and despised by everybody, although every day, and a thousand times a day, on platforms, on the telescreen, in newspaper, in books...in spite of all of this, his influence never seemed to grow less.” It’s very interesting because there is plenty of examples that could be found today. A huge example would be Donald Trump. Many on social media have admitted that they strongly disagree with his ideas, yet they’re the ones who mostly talk about him. Another important thing to think about is, most of America strongly dislikes him and yet he might be our next president. Donald Trump reminds me of Goldstein, however Trump is in the process of becoming a huge leader. 1984 was a great book!